LORITO NAMED CCM/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The American Hockey League announced today that Grand Rapids Griffins forward Matt Lorito has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 20, 2016.

Lorito tallied two goals and four assists (2-4—6) as the Griffins split a two-game home set against the Texas Stars last week.

Lorito had a goal and two assists on Wednesday night as Grand Rapids doubled up Texas, 6-3, then matched that effort in Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Stars as he became the first Griffin to record consecutive three-point nights since Martin Frk did so last Dec. 19 and 26. Five (1-4—5) of Lorito’s six points during the week came on the power play, as the Griffins went 5-for-13 (38.4%) with the man advantage in the two games.

Lorito has been a key factor in the Griffins’ 9-for-27 power play performance over the last five games, which has vaulted the team’s percentage (24.2%) to fifth in the league.

Lorito, the first Griffin this season to garner Player of the Week accolades, won the honor for the first time in his career.

The 5-foot-9, 171-pound center has played in all 14 games this season and ranks among the AHL’s leaders with 16 points (T5th), 10 power play points (T2nd) and eight power play assists (3rd).

A second-year pro from Oakville, Ont., Lorito signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2016, following a rookie season in which he tallied 18 goals and 36 assists (18-36—54) in 71 AHL games with Albany. The 26-year-old forward turned pro in the spring of 2015 after four seasons at Brown University, where he was an All-Ivy League selection three times, and has totaled 27 goals and 55 assists (27-55—82) in 96 career AHL contests.

In recognition of his achievement, Lorito will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.

The Griffins are 5-2 in the month of November and currently place second in the Central Division. Grand Rapids travels to division-leading Milwaukee on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.